From canvas to care: exhibition raises over RM500K to brighten lives

They came with different stories and different ways of seeing the world. But through their paintings, six artists shared a hope – to make life a little easier for someone else.

That hope found a generous response at “Art4Good: Painting from the Heart“, which raised RM536,000 in gross proceeds for the Free Food Society (FFS) and the Society for the Severely Mentally Handicapped (SSMH).

With FMT as its media partner, the exhibition ran from Oct 14 to 18 at Bangsar Shopping Centre, with a total of 88 paintings sold. It surpassed its RM400,000 fundraising target.

That generosity will help FFS continue providing food aid to 85 B40 families in Desa Rejang, Setapak, and tuition for more than 100 primary and secondary schoolchildren.

At SSMH’s centre in Sea Park, Petaling Jaya, the funds will support specialised therapy and individual training to help children with severe disabilities develop everyday skills and reach their full potential.

Helping make this possible were artists who gave months of their time and talent, alongside buyers, bidders, sponsors, volunteers and other supporters.

Among the most heartening achievements was that of the exhibition’s youngest artist, eight-year-old Winsen Loke, who sold 26 artworks.

Winsen, who has global developmental delay and mild cerebral palsy, creates paintings by tapping his wrist and palm against paper or canvas.

He attends SSMH, where rehabilitative therapy has helped him develop better balance and sit upright for about 15 minutes without falling over.

At the exhibition launch, his mother, Tan Boon See, spoke of the possibilities she hopes others will recognise in children like him.

“Everyone is unique. Every child, even a handicapped one, has potential. So don’t give up on them,” she said.

Fellow artist Yoon Chooi Wan saw all eight of her Chinese brush paintings find buyers. Tan Ken Ming, who has Asperger’s syndrome, sold three of his seven artworks, while Oon Soon Keat sold one of four paintings.

Principal artist Yeow Teck Chai sold 50 paintings and continued receiving orders after the exhibition ended.

Former international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz, who launched the exhibition, also contributed eight paintings to a silent auction that raised RM83,600.

She welcomed the chance to support the charities through her art, crediting the sponsors, volunteers, media and wider community who helped turn the paintings into practical help for those in need.

“I am happy that the silent auction of my paintings contributed towards helping the charities,” she said.

For Yeow, the exhibition was a satisfying end to months of preparation for his fourth charity showcase. He had been painting daily since late last year, enjoying the creative process as much as the knowledge that each piece could help someone else.

“I am tired I feel happy that the entire team worked really hard to make this event a success,” said the former deputy director-general of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida).

SSMH president Fadillah Yakin said the funds would go a long way towards sustaining its work with the children and their families. For FFS president Ali Abdul Kadir, it meant being able to continue providing food aid and tuition to families who need that support.

For the two charities, the paintings hold the promise of more ordinary, precious moments: a family having enough to eat, a student finding their way through a difficult lesson, or a parent watching their child master a new skill such as learning to sit a little steadier.

The paintings can be viewed here.

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